Dear Friends,
Peace and solidarity from Colombia! Since I arrived in Colombia, I have continued to be moved by the ongoing perseverance and work of the Colombian social movements. The human rights defenders of Colombia continue to dream of a world without weapons and violence – a world that is just and where everyone can live with dignity. I have witnessed the power of this dream and for some it is a dangerous dream. The powers that be – illegal armed groups, the Colombia state, the United States of America – have unsuccessfully attempted to destroy this dream. They have assassinated, disappeared, arrested, and displaced millions of people that continue to hope for justice in Colombia and in the world.
Today, I write to you with a special petition – a way to support this dream. For the last six months, I have been working with an amazing group of women that have formed under the name, “The Women’s Social Movement against War and for Peace.” This is a group that is formed by all sectors of society, Afro-Colombians, indigenous, peasant farmers, and social organizations. They are a group of women dreamers. They are dreaming of a world where “women no longer need to bear nor raise children for war.” From August 16th to August 23rd, they are hosting “The Women and People’s Summit of the Americas against Militarization.” This group and gathering is in need of your support.
In the announcement of the Summit, they boldly state, “Silence the weapon so that women and the people may speak in defense of life and sovereignty.” They go on to remind us that, “It is us, women, who continue to suffer the ravages of war. We suffer socially, politically, psychologically, physically, economically, and culturally. Our bodies are considered the spoils of war. We are lowered to the level of objects and perceived as being the property of the system. Similarly, the war has exacerbated the violence, discrimination, exploitation, poverty and inequality, leaving perverse effects on women and the people such as forced displacement, confinement, migration, disappearances, forced recruitment, rape, and femicide. Moreover, the responsibility for supporting the family falls on women, as the state fails to guarantee the fundamental rights of individuals. On the contrary, the state delivers big-budget military projects that favor transnational corporations.”
I would like to invite you to support this gathering.
The InterReligious Task Force on Central America (IRTF) is hoping to raise $500 to donate to “The Women’s Social Movement against War and for Peace” to support their dreams, please considering donating $10, $20, or more to IRTF in the name of the Women’s Social Movement.
Please send checks to, InterReligious Taskforce on Central America 3606 bridge Ave. Cleveland, Oh, 44113 or donate online www.irtfcleveland.org
Thank you for your consideration.
In solidarity,
Chris Knestrick
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